5 Practices to Create an Enriching and True Homeschooling Experience

Are you worried about not meeting public school standards? How can you give your homeschooler an enriching life experience? If you’re a homeschool parent, at some point, you probably have worried about how you can homeschool and if you will create capable adults. Well, David and I recently interviewed Jennifer Pepito. 

Ms. Pepito is a homeschool mom and the creator of The Peaceful Press curriculum. She is a mother to seven children. This curriculum takes inspiration from Charlotte Mason and holistic education. Ms. Pepito is an author and a podcaster. She also has a mom mentorship program called Restoration Home. She provided terrific insights into homeschooling and how to create an enriching homeschool experience. 

• Read aloud together and discuss the stories. 
• Do not overschedule.
• Don’t get stuck in the rat race.  
• Take care of your mental health. 
• Use the holistic approach in life and in homeschooling.

Holistic Education…

First, Ms. Pepito recommended reading aloud together and discussing the stories. She suggested reading classical literature and living history stories. Tip: Use our Nxt Era book list to find classics and living history stories. Find the list here. Reading quality literature can create moral dimensions and virtuous character within a child. 

Second, Ms. Pepito highly suggested not overscheduling your children. Leave time for them to develop genius. By not overscheduling, you allow time for your child to discover their own unique interests. Homeschoolers can try unique activities, such as bushcrafting, or simply enjoy the moment. Ms. Pepito expressed that this creates interesting children who will become interesting adults. 

Third, don’t get stuck in the rat race. Slow down your schedule and focus solely on the learning experience. Set your sights on learning for enjoyment and experiencing life with your children.

Also, don’t compare yourself to the school system. Set down the public school expectations and learning methods. Focus on YOUR family. What works for your family? What is the best fit? Contemplate these questions and take time to breathe deep as you figure things out. 

Fourth, take care of your mental health. Focus on joy, not fear. While you work on this mindset, offer yourself grace. It isn’t easy and will take time, so be patient with yourself. Ms. Pepito explained that joy is an emotion that helps learning happen. Also, let go of the victim's mindset. Try to set this down and realize that we all struggle in life. It’s part of life. 

Ms. Pepito’s other suggestions include: 

• Pray.
• Take time in nature.
• Have reasonable expectations for yourself and your children.
• Recognize that education is a "lifelong journey" and not to "be so panicked all the time."
• Keep the atmosphere as calm as possible.

Fifth, use the holistic approach in life and in homeschooling. Ms. Pepito highly recommended this lifestyle choice and focus. Work on understanding that your child is not just a brain, but a whole body and a soul. Help them discover their mind, body, and soul. This involves growing their mind, strengthening their body, and cultivating their soul through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Also, balance academic and practical skills. Encourage knowledge of both within your homeschool routines. Teach them to dissect a sentence and how to bake a loaf of bread. These skills will serve them well in life. 

In addition, be excited, so they get excited. Excitement encourages learning and will get your homeschoolers enthralled in the homeschool experience. Show joy and excitement over homeschooling, and as you learn, so will they. 

Conclusion

To conclude, Ms. Pepito provided wonderful insights and motivations for homeschooling. Her words can inspire and challenge parents to walk ahead with their child’s interests in mind. These practices can create homeschoolers who have a well-rounded education and a loving home life. These suggestions can show children that they matter and that their parents value them. After all, isn’t that the whole point of homeschooling?

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This information came from a resource in the interview with Jennifer Pepito. 

- NxtEra

Written by Bethany (@thebookwormgirl_bethany)

Helpful Links:

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Website: The Peaceful Press® Homeschool Curriculum

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Podcast: Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito - Podcast - Apple Podcasts